Cold Plasma Revolution: Breakthrough Laundry Technology for Mars and Lunar Missions

Astronauts preparing for extended missions to Mars and the Moon may soon have access to a revolutionary solution for one of space travel’s most persistent challenges: laundry.

Currently, International Space Station crew members wear the same clothing for multiple days before storing used garments to be disposed of during re-entry. While this approach works adequately for short-term missions, it becomes impractical for lunar bases or Martian colonies that cannot rely on regular supply runs from Earth.

Gabe Xu from the University of Alabama in Huntsville and Chelsi Cassilly from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center have developed an innovative “laundry gun” that sanitizes fabrics using cold plasma technology. Xu presented this advancement at the Astrobiology Science Conference in Wisconsin on May 21st.

The system generates ions by electrifying a mixture of helium, ambient air, and water vapor. These ions penetrate fabric fibers and eliminate microorganisms through oxidative stress—a mechanism that proves highly effective since no known microbes can resist this process. Laboratory tests demonstrated a reduction in bacterial colonies on cotton fabric from 250,000 to approximately 60,000 per milliliter.

A key advantage over ultraviolet sterilization is that this method effectively targets UV-resistant organisms. “If you eat poison, it kills you,” explains Xu. “There’s nothing that is oxidative stress resistant.”

Importantly, the technology operates safely at low temperatures—warm enough to handle comfortably. “When we think of plasma jets, we imagine lightning bolts or welding torches, which burn extremely hot,” notes Xu. “This jet you can literally put your hand in.”

The present prototype treats only small fabric areas, limiting its immediate practicality. Researchers are developing two enhanced systems: a plasma-based washing machine featuring sealed treatment chambers, and a dual-plasma vacuum system for surface cleaning. “For long-term habitats on the moon or Mars, astronauts will want comfortable furnishings, but they won’t be able to maintain them without effective cleaning solutions,” Xu states. “Plasma jets could finally make that possible.”

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